Unisys accelerates clients` IT governance with CobiT starter pack

Unisys Africa has developed an IT Governance Starter Pack, aimed at kick-starting clients` projects.

The programme is client specific and includes CobiT training, the required tools and a dedicated consultant working closely with the client team. The consultant moves with the client team from the classroom environment into their workspace to ensure that the practices are embedded.

"There are many IT executives and practitioners who have no experience implementing a governance programme," says Allan Wattrus, practice director: Global Infrastructure Services at Unisys Africa. "The Governance Starter Pack programme aims to give them a head start in such a project and provides higher probabilities of success being achieved in their own business."

Clients are encouraged to bring their latest governance audit report to the classroom from which a list of prioritised objectives is developed during the two days of practical private instruction. Unisys Africa uses software tools that assist in extracting relevant process information from the organisation and developing the prioritised set of governance objectives as quickly and efficiently as possible.

"We leave clients with the skills, the knowledge and a practical project plan, along with the ability to reassess and update the process as they go forward," says Wattrus. "The toolset and methodology we have allows us to align the low level governance activities with the more strategic needs of the business. The software also provides a feed into the client`s project management tools that allows them to track their progress against delivering the IT governance framework."

Wattrus says the Governance Starter Pack and the toolset help clients deal with the audit process. The result is a more realistic audit process and often better scorecard in the report.

When auditors arrive on-site, they have immediate access to all relevant information, as well as a consultant who understands the audit process and can assist them.

"Even if clients are not yet compliant, the auditors can quickly ascertain at what stage of the project they are and what still remains to be done to become compliant," says Wattrus.

While all the recommendations of reports such as King II, have not yet evolved into legislation, companies that are becoming compliant stand to benefit from the savings that compliant systems and best practice processes offer. Gartner pointed out three areas of primary concern to business at Symposium 2004:

* Aligning the IT strategy with the business strategy
* Dealing with governance
* Service level delivery

"All three of these components are dealt with in the CobiT model of good governance," says Wattrus. "It`s not as complex as many make it out to be. Perhaps the hardest step is the first one, but that sets the direction for the rest of the journey. At the end of the day IT, like the business, needs to ensure they deliver against their promise to the customers."